Ocala Drive-In is a winner

Gets digital projection

Ocala Drive-In Theatre posted a thank you on its marquee to Honda for the donation of a digital projector. Through popular voting, the theatre won one of several digital projectors in Honda's Project Drive-In contest.

Published: Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:50 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:50 a.m.

The second chance paid off. The historic Ocala Drive-In, one of a handful of the outdoor theaters remaining in Florida, is going digital.

Owners John and Charlie Watzke got word early Monday they are one of the four drive-ins winning a new digital projection system from American Honda Motor Co. in second-chance voting last week. Initially, Honda offered to donate five systems through its Project Drive-In initiative.

"We raised enough funds to buy two more projectors and then the projector company donated two more so we were able to save four more theaters," Jessica Fini, with Honda public relations, said in an email. "We are thrilled to help four additional theaters."

Each projection system is worth about $80,000. More than 2.6 million votes were cast online and through texting.

"This is unbelievable, man," said John Watzke shortly after receiving the call from Honda in California to let him know Ocala was a winner, and requesting a "winner's photograph" for the Project Drive-In website. "I saw the 301 area code and knew we were a winner," he added.

What this means, Watzke said, is their drive-in on South Pine Avenue "can continue to do what we set out to do, and that's provide affordable family entertainment for generations to come.

"Our whole goal was keeping an American icon alive," he said.

Honda revealed that Ocala was one of four second-chance winners on its Project Drive-In website at 9 a.m. Also winning in this wave were the Stateline Drive-In in Elizabethton, Tenn.; Starlite Drive-In in Cadet, Mo.; and Monetta Drive-In in Monetta, S.C.

The first five winning drive-ins were in Saco, Maine; Honor, Mich.; Graham, Texas; McHenry, Ill.; and Newberg, Ore.

A total of 116 drive-ins were seeking a new system through the Project Drive-In vote, which began in early August. Honda says there are 383 drive-ins still active in the United States. At their peak in the 1950s, there were more than 4,000 drive-ins across the country.

Beginning next year, most movies produced by Hollywood will be released in digital format, requiring the new projection systems. While there was assistance for most indoor movie theaters, outdoor drive-ins were left out of the calculations — and had to fend for themselves.

Many may choose to close — especially if they cannot raise the money for a new system on their own. The Priest Theater in High Springs and the Hippodrome in Gainesville this year raised the money for conversion to digital.

In a news release announcing the four additional winners, a spokeswoman for Honda said: "It's not often that a company gets the opportunity to help preserve an American pastime.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to bring national and local attention to the fate of drive-ins and to meet the passionate owners of these small businesses," added Alicia Jones, manager of Honda and Acura social marketing.

Reaction to the news was swift and enthusiastic.

"That's great news for y'all, and great news for us," wrote Crystal Dethlefs on Facebook.

"Congrats," added Allen Wolfe. "Now my family can have the memories of going to the drive-in as well."

The Watzkes, who this year marked their family's century-long relationship with showing movies, will plan a community celebration "as soon as the weather is better," John Watzke said.

Meanwhile, he said he planned to "crack open a bottle of root beer" to celebrate.

<p>The second chance paid off. The historic Ocala Drive-In, one of a handful of the outdoor theaters remaining in Florida, is going digital.</p><p>Owners John and Charlie Watzke got word early Monday they are one of the four drive-ins winning a new digital projection system from American Honda Motor Co. in second-chance voting last week. Initially, Honda offered to donate five systems through its Project Drive-In initiative.</p><p>"We raised enough funds to buy two more projectors and then the projector company donated two more so we were able to save four more theaters," Jessica Fini, with Honda public relations, said in an email. "We are thrilled to help four additional theaters."</p><p>Each projection system is worth about $80,000. More than 2.6 million votes were cast online and through texting.</p><p>"This is unbelievable, man," said John Watzke shortly after receiving the call from Honda in California to let him know Ocala was a winner, and requesting a "winner's photograph" for the Project Drive-In website. "I saw the 301 area code and knew we were a winner," he added.</p><p>What this means, Watzke said, is their drive-in on South Pine Avenue "can continue to do what we set out to do, and that's provide affordable family entertainment for generations to come.</p><p>"Our whole goal was keeping an American icon alive," he said.</p><p>Honda revealed that Ocala was one of four second-chance winners on its Project Drive-In website at 9 a.m. Also winning in this wave were the Stateline Drive-In in Elizabethton, Tenn.; Starlite Drive-In in Cadet, Mo.; and Monetta Drive-In in Monetta, S.C.</p><p>The first five winning drive-ins were in Saco, Maine; Honor, Mich.; Graham, Texas; McHenry, Ill.; and Newberg, Ore.</p><p>A total of 116 drive-ins were seeking a new system through the Project Drive-In vote, which began in early August. Honda says there are 383 drive-ins still active in the United States. At their peak in the 1950s, there were more than 4,000 drive-ins across the country.</p><p>Beginning next year, most movies produced by Hollywood will be released in digital format, requiring the new projection systems. While there was assistance for most indoor movie theaters, outdoor drive-ins were left out of the calculations — and had to fend for themselves.</p><p>Many may choose to close — especially if they cannot raise the money for a new system on their own. The Priest Theater in High Springs and the Hippodrome in Gainesville this year raised the money for conversion to digital.</p><p>In a news release announcing the four additional winners, a spokeswoman for Honda said: "It's not often that a company gets the opportunity to help preserve an American pastime.</p><p>"It has been an honor and a privilege to bring national and local attention to the fate of drive-ins and to meet the passionate owners of these small businesses," added Alicia Jones, manager of Honda and Acura social marketing.</p><p>Reaction to the news was swift and enthusiastic.</p><p>"That's great news for y'all, and great news for us," wrote Crystal Dethlefs on Facebook.</p><p>"Congrats," added Allen Wolfe. "Now my family can have the memories of going to the drive-in as well."</p><p>The Watzkes, who this year marked their family's century-long relationship with showing movies, will plan a community celebration "as soon as the weather is better," John Watzke said.</p><p>Meanwhile, he said he planned to "crack open a bottle of root beer" to celebrate.</p><p>"Wow," he added. "Wow."</p><p><i>Contact Rick Allen at 867-4154 or rick.allen@starbanner.com.</i></p>